Grayson suppressed a sigh of relief. Jurgen wasn’t trying to railroad the issue. The mayor gestured to the crowd, and several hands shot up, including Faith Goodell’s. Before Carl called on anyone, people began shouting their opinions. Finally, he banged the gavel loud enough to get everyone’s attention.
Once the crowd settled down, Mayor Jurgen nodded at Faith, then pointed the gavel at her. “The floor is yours, Miss Goodell.”
Chapter Fourteen
Joshua had made his way toward Faith, finding a seat right behind her. Grayson noted the two of them with a sense of unease. He liked Faith. She was smart, principled, and had a clear vision for the future of the town. Her newly created Women’s Alliance added a layer of complication he didn’t need right now.
Faith stood, looked around at the people she’d known her entire life, and smiled before turning back toward the council members. “First, I believe everyone here knows I have always supported the school and the education of our children,” she said. “I will continue to support any measure that will keep them viable.”
A murmur ran through the room, half approval, half apprehension.
“That said,” she continued, “I believe in practical solutions. Councilman Beckett’s proposal is indeed charitable. More importantly, it’s realistic. Many of us remember how our mothers and fathers got by during the lean years. We helped each other. We didn’t add to each other’s burdens.”
Grayson felt a pang of relief. If Faith and her Alliance threw their weight behind him, it could make all the difference.
“I believe you should know there are a great number of women and men who agree with the councilman’s idea. We arethe same people who would be willing to donate money and time to see it gets carried out as Grayson envisions.”
Several men whistled while others cheered, and others began talking between each other. It took several minutes before Mayor Jurgen regained control.
“Thank you, Miss Goodell. We appreciate your opinion.”
“And it’s the opinion of the newly formed Mystic Women’s Alliance. It will also appear in today’s Gazette. I thought it only right everyone knew what the newspaper editor believes is the right approach. Thank you for hearing me out.”
Faith sat down, and the room took a collective breath. She’d presented herself well while placing the onus on the council and indicating the Alliance’s support.
Mayor Jurgen stroked his chin. “Your input is always valued, Miss Goodell.” He looked as if he might say more, then shrugged. “Any other comments?”
Several hands went up, but the crowd’s fervor had cooled. Grayson suspected many felt their concerns had already been voiced and answered, at least in part, by Faith. He eyed the time on his pocket watch. The meeting had stretched to an hour already.
One by one, the remaining hands trickled down, their owners unwilling to prolong the session with repetitive points. Grayson let out a slow breath, hoping Faith’s words would sway the other councilmen.
“Very well,” Jurgen said. “We appreciate everyone’s—”
“Wait,” came a voice from the center of the room. Grayson’s heart sank as he recognized it. Strong and unyielding, it belonged to his mother, Naomi Beckett.
She stood, and the room tilted toward her like plants seeking sunlight.
“Naomi, you’re more than welcome to add your thoughts,” Jurgen said. “Just remember, no decision will be made today.”
Naomi’s eyes locked on Grayson, then moved to Joshua, then back to Grayson. “I just want to make sure we’re all clear on what’s at stake,” she said. “And to add my support to Councilman Beckett’s proposal.”
Grayson relaxed at his mother’s words.
“The school is more than a building,” Naomi said. “It’s the future of this town. Every child we educate is an investment in the future. We’ve always found ways to manage, and I believe we can again. The Becketts will volunteer time to help erect the addition to the schoolhouse, and I’m certain many of you at the table will be more than happy to supply donations of material.” She pinned each one of the men with her hard glare. “Won’t you, gentlemen?” Naomi sat back down, back straight and hands resting in her lap.
Mayor Jurgen set down his gavel, the wood clicking softly against the table. “The council will take all viewpoints into consideration,” he said, his voice assuming a judicious tone. “We know these are difficult times, and no one takes this decision lightly.”
Grayson suspected Jurgen had felt the shift in the room. What had seemed a foregone conclusion at the start of the meeting was now moving in the opposite direction. The locals had made their preference known.
“Thank you all for coming,” Jurgen finished. “We’ll reconvene next week to make a final decision. Meeting adjourned.”
He tapped his gavel, and the room exploded into conversation. Grayson stayed seated, watching as the crowd filtered toward the door. He saw Joshua linger by Faith, saying something low and earnest. Whatever it was, she gave a slow nod, her face set in a dispassionate mask.
Grayson stood and stretched, his body stiff from the prolonged tension. He walked toward the door, where Joshua now stood alone, his eyes following Faith as she left.
“How’d she take it?” Grayson asked.
Joshua shrugged. “She knows it’s out of her hands for now. She did what she came for, as did the women in the Alliance. Carl holding off the vote is concerning.”
